RANK #573 / 996 · POP 98,573 · IA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.5%
Story County, Iowa, stands out as the home of Iowa State University in Ames, its largest city, which contributes to a dynamic local culture. Located in central Iowa, the county seat is Nevada. Story County is approximately 30-60 miles from Des Moines, with major highways like Interstate 35 and U.S. Highways 30, 65, and 69 providing transportation options. The landscape features gently rolling prairie interspersed with groves, offering outdoor recreation opportunities at places like McFarland Park and Hickory Grove Park, which provide hiking, fishing, and camping.
Life in Story County blends academic influence with a community-focused atmosphere. The public schools in Story County are highly rated, with several districts serving the area, including Ames, Ballard, and Gilbert. Most residents rely on private vehicles, though CyRide in Ames offers fixed-route bus services, and the Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency (HIRTA) provides public transportation throughout the county. The economy benefits from its educational institutions and ongoing investments in sectors like renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. Local economic development groups actively work to promote growth and job creation across the county's fifteen municipalities.
Above national median
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.7x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Story County Wind Farm
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$300M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Story County has a Boom Town Index score of 42/100, ranking #573 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.3% and a median household income of $66,197, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Story County is $229,100 with median rent at $991/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2889, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.3%. Home values changed +2.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 8.54% of Story County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.